Open (adjective) 1. accessible 2. free of obstructions 3. clear
“Keep an open mind. The influence of grace is often found in unexpected places.” Cheryl Richardson
I’ve had a most interesting day, my friendly blog reader, although it started out normal enough. I got Garrett off to school and then walked with Mary and Tootsie around the lake. It was while I has having coffee with my lady-friends (support Ho’s) at MJ’s house that I noticed things were definitely changing. For one thing, MJ is remodelling her kitchen so we all sat in her living room to drink coffee and chat. She told us she’s not only working on her house, but having Lasik done on her eyes this coming week! Fantastic news!! Then Brenda started talking about her meeting with the real estate agent to buy a building in downtown Ortonville so she can open up a coffee/computer cafe! Huzzah!!! Debbie filled us in on the Village’s plan to bring sewers into downtown! Wow!!! All very strange and wonderful stuff! Then I told them about my appointment to meet with my friend Lisa about an opportunity for a job. Yes, a real job! With the Welcome Wagon! How perfect for me, they all agreed!
So after coffee I went in to listen to Lisa tell me all about the position. She was just finishing up a phone call as I walked in the door, so the timing seemed perfect. As she talked, I could feel how passionate Lisa is about this job, helping new people feel welcome and giving businesses an opportunity to grow. As I listened to her, I paid close attention to my stomach and my shoulders. Usually when something isn’t quite right, my body will give me physical clues to help me decide. I felt calm and comfortable the whole time. Even when the paperwork seemed a little bit confusing, I thought to myself ”I’ve done complicated things before. I can learn this“. This job seems like a really good fit. So when Lisa asked me “So what do you think?” I didn’t even hesitate. I told her “Sounds great! I’m in!“
So we shook hands on it, to make it official. Lisa beamed at me because she’s so excited to get me on board. And although I was feeling nervous about how I’m going to factor this new position into my life, I’m thrilled to be working again after all these years.
Of course there’s all sorts of things I could worry about, timing with Garrett’s school and karate, finding time to write and get my book published, getting dinner on the table, wearing work clothes and make-up all the time again. But I’m not going to let it stress me. This is a good opportunity and it really feels right. Of course it’s going to be a challenge, but that’s where growth happens. I’m open to that!
So, my friendly blog reader?
Are you noticing changes or opportunities?
Are you keeping yourself open to grace?
I’ve love to read your thoughts in the comments!
Have a wonderful week and I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.
xoxo Pam
Posted 2 days, 2 hours ago at 7:50 pm. 14 comments
Over the past week, I’ve been waking up in the morning with this song stuck in my head.
Well, not the whole song, just this part…
“You know you can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.”
It’s a wonderful reminder as well as a very catchy tune.
As I was looking up the video on YouTube, I came across this one that tells the story behind the song. Take a moment and watch the video.
Cool, huh?!
I’m always interested in hearing how other people handle their trials and tribulations. I’m especially inspired to see them turn their pain into art. To take their personal tragedy and create a masterpiece!
There’s a miracle in that!
I hope you enjoy this song, my friendly blog reader.
Do you have one that reminds you of the choice to make the best of a bad situation?
I’d love to see it in the comments below!
Have a great week and I’ll be back later with the Inspirational word of the week.
Choose: (verb) 1. to select 2. to decide or prefer 3. to want; desire 4. to be inclined.
I’m often amazed at how the Inspirational word of the week seems to choose me. This week is no exception.
This weeks word started with a lady-friend pulling the Oracle card of Choice while a group of us all sat around the kitchen table of another friends house. She looked at it and remarked that it didn’t seem to make any sense to her. I didn’t want to seem over-bearing so I didn’t say anything at the time. Everyone had chosen their own card with their own message from Grace. (Mine said “Shine, Step into the light. You’re a gift to the world). As I put the cards away I glanced at what my lady-friend’s card said. “For every action there is a reaction. Choose wisely.” Well, that sure made sense to me!
Without going into detail, later that evening as I was sitting around the table, another couple of ladies inadvertently insulted me. I had to quickly choose how I would react to it. At the time, I simply pretended it didn’t bother me (of course) and let the conversation move on to something less painful. However, later on, as I talked to my husband about what happened, I decided to use the really intense energy I felt from being hurt and ‘boomerang’ it into finishing my You’re the Boat project. It took me two full days and a dozen pin pricks, not to mention a really gnarly splinter, but I did it!! Take a look...
I’m very pleased with how well it turned out and I’m especially proud of myself for finally getting it off of my dining room table!! Now I can set about getting pictures made for my book and workbook, as well as finishing up the writing of the book. It will be done before my birthday the beginning of next month. Pinky swear!
Most especially, I’m glad I chose to react to being hurt with an act of creativity, not destruction or anger. Neither of those reactions would have made me feel nearly as AWESOME as finishing my project did!
The next sign for the Inspirational word of the week came yesterday in a blog post from Dr. Lissa Rankin of Owning Pink. She wrote
“I want to help you - I really do - but I need to do it by filling myself up first. When I do, the abundant life force I wilI generate will spill over so others will benefit from it. When there’s a surplus of life force, everybody wins. If I let myself wind up depleted, everybody loses.”
Her powerful declaration to fill herself up first, felt to me like Moses’s tablets when he came down from the mountain. Absolute truth. I wish every single person on earth would make the effort to choose their own health and happiness over trying to please other people. Actually, when you think about it, taking care of yourself and filling yourself up first can save the world! It’s that creation of healthy life force spilling over that heals everyone. So taking care of yourself really well doesn’t have to make you feel guilty! Look at it as your contribution to saving the world! Huzzah!!
Last night, just before shutting off the computer for the day, I saw a lady-friend post a link to Eckhart Tolle’s ‘Uncourse‘. I’ve been fascinated with Eckhart Tolle, but never actually read any of his books, so I decided to look into the course. It’s free, so I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It was really easy to sign up for and within minutes I was looking at the first section of the course titled “Choices, Choices”. I’ve already been through the first question and instead of writing more about it, I’m just going to let you, my friendly blog reader, choose whether you want to look into it for yourself, or not. However, I will offer you just this little nugget of wisdom from Mr. Tolle…..“All choices eventually bring you into wakefulness”. So whether you choose to look into it or not, you still have made a choice bringing you closer to wakefulness. Your welcome!
This morning, as I sat down to do my meditation with Susan Piver, her e-mail was titled “Choosing a path”. Now, the signs from the Universe are becoming just outrageous so instead of heading straight into the meditation, I chose to watch her video where she described why she chose the spiritual path of Tibetan Buddhism. She describes how she had the revelation of knowing that Buddhism was for her when her teacher said “The only possible spiritual path for a person is your own experience.”
“Well, of course!” she said. “That’s what I already believe!”
And I completely agree. Nobody else can save our souls. Our souls don’t need saving. They just need to grow.
Finally, as I was checking FaceBook this morning, I saw this quote from Marianne Williamson that summed it all up.
“Everyone you meet is either your crucifier or your savior, depending on what you choose them to be.”
Every single day we choose to grow or not. It’s just as simple as that.
The lessons we need to learn in order to grow are woven into the experiences we allow ourselves to have. When we trust Grace to guide us in the right direction, we learn to see how everything we’ve experienced has lead us to be exactly where we’re supposed to be. Right here. Right now.
So what do you think, my friendly blog reader?
What are you choosing? How have your choices enabled you to learn and grow?
I’d love to read what you think in the comments below.
Have a wonderful week, and I’ll be back next Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.
My darling husband and I actually went out this past Saturday!! Yeah for Date night!!
We went to the Irish Tavern in Waterford, MI to watch our friend’s band play. It was great to see his face light up when he saw us watching from the back of the bar!
The band played some really good, rocking music, including this wonderful number. It was fantastic to feel the pulse of the music along with the groove of all the people.
This song especially just ROCKED!! As I looked it up this morning, I noticed it was written by ’Motown Hero’ Stevie Wonder! Detroit’s pride and joy! And today kicks off of the North American International Auto Show. It’s nice to see the Spirit of Detroit still moving people.
“Gonna keep on tryin’ til I reach the highest ground”
I hope the driving beat of this song helps to kick your week off into high gear!! (get it? Motown, Detroit, Motor City, Auto Show)
Have a wonderful day and I’ll be back later this week with the Inspirational word of the week.
xoxo Pam
Posted 1 week, 4 days ago at 10:24 am. Add a comment
Benefit: (noun) 1. an advantage 2. a payment or gift, as one made to help someone. 3. an act of kindness; a good deed.
As I was writing last weeks post, I must admit, my friendly blog reader, that I was little bit nervous about putting my heart out on the table like I did.
However, once I finished, I realized that it was exactly what I needed to say. I was very pleased and in fact, the post got quite a few positive responses! WooHoo!
That’s just one of many benefits of living an inspired life.
When doing something is scary, as long as it comes from your heart, you can be assured it will turn out well. You just have to be persistent and have faith in yourself.
So that’s what this post is about today……the benefits of living an inspired life. I’m not exactly sure how this post is going to turn out, but I can assure you that I’ll do my very best to let the energy of the Divine speak through me. That’s the best I have to offer.
Being inspired means you learn to trust the energy (the Universe, the Divine, the Source, the Force, God or Allah) that supports you to help yourself and others. It starts by asking for help and then most importantly accepting it when it comes. It may not be exactly what you expected, but help always come through. You finally begin to understand that you’re not alone. You’re loved and supported just for being who you are. You’re purpose on this planet, is to be happy, and by being happy and dedicated to expressing that happiness, you create the life you’ve always wanted. Everyone who see’s you and watches you live a happy, fulfilling life will be inspired by you.
You discover the power you need to follow your dreams and fulfill your purpose doesn’t come from you but through you.
Living an inspired life gives you a sense of relief that your needs will be met. Funny thing is, you start to realize that you need a lot less than you thought you did. You find more satisfaction in doing small, but significant things, like reaching out to help other people, making art (whatever your art is) and smiling and laughing with your family and friends. You can see how your energy benefits other people and then comes back to you. None of these things take money, but they all fill you up, way, way up. You no longer have to waste time trying to find someone else to give you what you need to be happy.
You become your own happiness.
The Divine creates opportunities for us to grow and stretch, to transform ourselves. That transformative process can be very uncomfortable. Think of a snake shedding it’s skin. It rubs against rocks and tree trunks to relieve the itching. There’s no sin in that. It’s just part of the process. Being inspired allows you the compassion and patience you need to not take that pain and discomfort personally. It’s just ‘growing pains’. Instead of focusing on the pain, you focus on the sweetness of life, the laughter of children, the warmth of a sunbeam and allow it to soothe your soul. You find ways to comfort yourself, like yoga, meditation, exercise, dancing, singing and laughter because you want to offer the best of yourself. You realize you get what you give.
Living an inspired life gives you the tools you need to get past the discomfort, to look past the doubts and resistance to see the bigger picture.
“Life is lived on the edge where every day we learn how to think bigger because we fly higher where we can see possibilities that persistence will yield.”
The more you give yourself over to living an inspired life, the faster you’ll see the benefits. And your Crew will see the benefits too. They’ll see the sparkle in your eye and the bounce in your step. They’ll feel the benefit of your energy whenever you walk into a room and look forward to being around you. By allowing the energy of the Divine to flow through you, you’ll become more clear and effective. You’ll experience more laughter and less angst. You’ll grow into the person you always hoped you’d become. And that’s the best benefit of all!
What do you think, my friendly blog reader?
Do you live an inspired life? Would you like to?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
If you’re interested in life-coaching with me, or hosting a Current Inspiration party, feel free to e-mail me at pambelding at gmail dot com.
xoxo Pam
p.s. Do yourself a favor and go check out Tammy Vitale’s website . She’s a full-time artist and a phenomenal example of someone living an inspired life!!
I’ve been trying to think of a song for you, my friendly blog reader.
However, the only thing I can think of…… is….. silence.
I’ve been enjoying the quiet in the house since the end of Christmas vacation.
It’s given me a chance to contemplate where I am and what I’m planning on creating in the upcoming months.
And most importantly, it’s allowed me some time to rest my mind and clear a path for the Divine.
When there’s too much noise and distractions, I start to feel like I’m running behind, worried that I won’t be able to finish everything that needs to be done. Then I do get distracted and end up forgetting something and that sets me back even more. It’s a vicious cycle!!
Silence gives me a chance to sort out what’s really important while letting go of what’s not.
It seems quiet is becoming much more difficult to find these days, with televisions springing up everywhere you turn.
But, that’s all the more reason I really and truly appreciate the sound of silence.
I hope you find what you’re looking for this week, my friendly blog reader.
I’ll be back later this week with the Inspirational word of the week…….Benefit.
xoxo Pam
Posted 2 weeks, 4 days ago at 5:32 pm. Add a comment
Appreciate: (verb) 1. to be thankful for 2. to value or regard highly 3. to be fully conscious or aware of 4. to increase in value
I got this message from God on FaceBook yesterday…
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”
As I was writing up the curriculum for my Feed your Soul class, one of the first things that came to me was the need to Appreciate your gifts.
I’m not talking about that sweater you got from your mother-in-law. (although it would be nice to say thank you). What I’m talking about is that special something that makes you stand out from everyone else. That thing that makes you tick, brings a spring to your step and a twinkle in your eye. That gift from God that allows you to go out and be AWESOME!!
“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire.” St. Catherine of Siena
(Thanks to Desiree Adaway for sharing this quote on FaceBook!)
But it’s hard.
Because we don’t really want to stick out. We don’t want to have people point at us and say “Wow, you really think a lot of yourself, don’t you?!” We don’t want people to think we’re pushy, arrogant or narcissistic, so we hide our gifts. We dull down our shine in order to fit in. We down-play our awesome so we don’t make our friends and family uncomfortable.
Of course, when I say ‘we‘, I’m talking about me.
I know what my gifts are. I have a talent for observing people and situations and then explaining ideas in simple terms. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard someone tell me “Wow, that’s a really good analogy.” or “Yeah, that makes sense.” I could buy my husband a really nice dinner with a great bottle of wine! Plus tip!
I’m intuitive, kind, funny and compassionate with a strong desire to be a part of the solution to the problems on this planet.
When I get a chance to really stretch out and be completely myself ……. ‘OH Yeah! I feel like I could move mountains!!!
But (and there’s always a but) if I let my little light shine too brightly, my friends and loved ones can be embarrassed and uncomfortable. If I’m in the wrong place around the wrong people (read ‘business dinner’) then I feel like I need to shrink back, to ‘dumb down’ so I don’t hurt anyones feelings.
I think, to really appreciate my gifts, I need to harness them. To give them a regular, steady outlet so that they don’t ‘leak out’ at inappropriate times. (Just like walking my dog. As long as she’s walked, she behaves wonderfully, but if she doesn’t get out, then she acts up.) I don’t want to force myself on anyone, because not everyone needs or wants to hear what I have to say. But some folks do. They really, really do.
That’s why I’ve decided to start offering life-coaching and my catalogue of classes. I’ve decided to become more open about the fact that I want to inspire people. There, I said it.
I want to inspire people.
I’ve been waking up in the mornings, literally bolting out of bed with the undeniable urge to coach, teach, reach out and help people. I truly appreciate that energy. It’s my gift from God. In order to show my appreciation, I’d like to share that gift, my gift, with you. If you are one of the people who likes and needs some inspiration, then PLEASE get a hold of me. E-mail me at pambelding at gmail dot com. I can help you.
Or if it’s not you, then maybe someone you know could use a good, healthy dose of encouragement. Do us both a favor and send them my way.
I would sure appreciate it!!
So what do you think, my friendly blog reader?
Do you know of someone who could use some inspiration?
I’d love to hear what you think, either in the comments or by e-mail.
xoxo Pam
Posted 3 weeks, 1 day ago at 11:27 am. 10 comments
Today is Monday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week……
Here’s an oldie but a goodie!
After celebrating with my family and friends over the past week, most especially on New Year’s Eve, I’m writing this post to reflect on all of the smiles and laughter we’ve shared over the past few days. I want remember the spirit of friendship and comraderie and let it soak into my memory. I want to use the energy of all that fun to fill up my soul.
That’s what celebrations are for. At least for me, anyway.
How about you, my friendly blog reader?
Did you enjoy your holiday celebrations?
I sincerely hope you did!
I hope you have a great week and I’ll be back later with the Inspirational word of the week…Appreciate!
xoxo Pam
Posted 3 weeks, 4 days ago at 1:08 pm. Add a comment
Aspiration (noun) 1. a strong desire, longing or aim; ambition. 2. objective or inclination. 3. breath.
I chose this word because of something my dear friend Heidi wrote on FaceBook this morning…
“I have allergies to certain words, like, oh, the word ‘resolution,’ which in the next few days will be bandied about like that tired joke your uncle always tells while passing the mashed potatoes… I’ve been sensitive to the R-word for many years now, although I didn’t know it right away… I first suspected my allergy when I noticed how my insides tightened in response, as if they’d been washed on hot by mistake. These days I much prefer the word ‘aspiration.’ I especially love its softness and how just saying it implies my next breath.”
Just saying the word aspiration feels good. It implies energy without force. An offer of assistance without judgment. A challenge without aggression or anger.
Aspirations open up the possibilities for growth and healing.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do in 2012. I, too, have ‘issues’ with resolutions. They always somehow imply that I have to fix myself, that I’m not good enough, or that I haven’t been trying hard enough. As I look back over 2011, I’ve noticed that I was working hard enough. In fact, quite a bit too hard sometimes. Instead of easing into the next steps of my business, I was trying to do too much all at once. I complicated things, piling more and more on my projects until it just felt overwhelming. (My poor Boat has just gotten bloated and needs to be thinned out. That’s another thing I need to do in 2012. Pare it down to the essential ideas and then just get it published.)
All the while, my hard work wasn’t bringing in any money, which embarrasses me to no end. Ugh!
Last week, I had the good fortune to talk with another friend from FaceBook, Jackie Walker. I told her a bit about what I do and then we talked about my aspirations for making money with my business for 2012. We talked about the work I do with the DDA, as well as all the writing I do on my blog and my book.
Jackie pointed out that I already have everything and everyone I need to create a vibrant, successful business, I just need to bring it all together. But instead piling everything on all at once, perhaps it would be easier to create inspirational classes based on simple ideas. Specifically, instead of trying to inspire someone with the entire You’re the Boat analogy, maybe think about doing a class with just some of the ideas from the Boat. Jackie asked me what advice my ‘past me’ would like to ask from my ‘current me’. That really helped me come up with some simple ideas… like Confidence class, Easing your mind and ‘Do you know what you need? class. The past me would have LOVED to have someone like me to come in and talk about stuff that would help me get on track. And the simpler the better. Back then, I was very hyper, stressed out and defensive. Throwing too much at me all at once would have been a disasterous waste of time. I needed short, sweet doses of help. Small nuggets of goodness I could ingest at my leisure. Lessons to tape up on my bathroom mirror to think about as I brushed my teeth.
Now I get it.
The most important point is to get inspiration out to the people who need it. Quickly.
I need to stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Simple is good.
So what I’ve decided to do is put together the Current Inspiration Catalogue of Classes. I’ve got a rough draft drawn up with more classes to come, as they’re needed. The classes I’ve put together so far are….
Confidence class It starts with desire and finishes with a rhythm.
Cultivating sunshine You’ll want to share it with your friends.
Do you know what you need? Find out in this class!
Drop the drama A daily practice.
Ease your mind Simple steps to peaceful living.
Feed your soul With5 ingredients you already have at home!
Success class See what success looks like in your life.
Make your own magic class Because faith in yourself is the strongest magic there is.
How I see this working is people will bring me in to their homes, much like they would the Arbonne lady, or the woman from Tastefully Simple. The host/hostess will be in charge of snacks and drinks, as well as bringing in the guests. Hosting would make them eligible for a free hour of life-coaching with me.
After everyone arrives and gets settled in, then I would do my presentation, which would include a worksheet/hand-out for folks to write on and take notes. We take plenty of time for questions, laughter and chatting. Then after we’re done with the ‘class’ part, we can do an art project, like playing with clay or coloring mandala’s, filling in the Soundtrack to the movie of your life, or making magic wands, just to name a few.
My aspiration is to make it a fun, delight-filled event for everyone.
I’m planning on starting with my network of friends here in Michigan and then I’m thinking about using Skype to expand out to other people.
So, what do you think, my friendly blog reader?
Would you want to host a Current Inspiration party? Can you see yourself having a bunch of friends over to have fun and feed your soul’s? Which class would you choose?
I’d love to know what you think in the comments below!
xoxo Pam
p.s. The price for each person would range from $10 to $45 per person, depending on the art project.
Today is Monday which means it’s time for the Inspirational song of the week.
This picture was taken the night of our ninth wedding anniversary. We had just moved to Brasil the month before and were still in the process of getting settled in. That night we had some friends watch Garrett so we could drive into nearby Sorocaba for dinner and a movie. We figured we’d find some place nice to eat on the way to the movie. I don’t exactly remember why we ended up eating in the mall, but I do remember being frustrated and crabby because I had to settle for a lousy cheeseburger at the food court for dinner. (I’m saying it’s lousy because compared to American burgers, it was.)
Although I was feeling cranky, I was trying very hard not to take it out on my darling husband Blake. I think I was just coming down from all of the excitment of moving and still struggling to switch gears. (Kind of like Christmas, moving out of the country takes a lot of time and planning).
As we sat there eating, I heard this song come on over the speakers in the food court.
“You’ve made me so very happy. I’m so glad you came into my life.”
Something clicked. Instead of wallowing in my discomfort, I suddenly realized how incredibly lucky I was to be married to this wonderful man.
It was like a fog lifted and I physically (and mentally) felt better.
I could actually feel how very lucky I was to be with my man.
Never mind the lousy cheeseburgers. I was still happily married and that’s what really mattered to both of us.
This picture was taken about 20 minutes later.
Whatever you’re going through on this day after Christmas, I hope you can take a moment to appreciate the loving people in your life. Give them a hug and tell them how lucky you feel to have them in your life. It’ll make you both happy!
Have a wonderful day and I’ll be back later this week with the Inspirational word of the week… Appreciate.
xoxo Pam
p.s. Thank you for reading along, my friendly blog reader! I truly appreciate knowing you’re there!! xoxoxo
“Keep an open mind. The influence of grace is often found in unexpected places.” Cheryl Richardson
So after coffee I went in to listen to Lisa tell me all about the position. She was just finishing up a phone call as I walked in the door, so the timing seemed perfect. As she talked, I could feel how passionate Lisa is about this job, helping new people feel welcome and giving businesses an opportunity to grow. As I listened to her, I paid close attention to my stomach and my shoulders. Usually when something isn’t quite right, my body will give me physical clues to help me decide. I felt calm and comfortable the whole time. Even when the paperwork seemed a little bit confusing, I thought to myself ”I’ve done complicated things before. I can learn this“. This job seems like a really good fit. So when Lisa asked me “So what do you think?” I didn’t even hesitate. I told her “Sounds great! I’m in!“
